The Quiet Time: Let’s Get Specific (part 3)

So maybe you buy into what a quiet time is and why you should have one.  But how in the world do you have one?  That is the subject of the latest in this multi-part post.  This post is longer than I wish it was…it makes the task seem complicated or cumbersome.  Be assured, the length of the post reflects my desire to be specific, not the complexity of the task!

How can you have an effective quiet time?

In general, I would suggest that you should:

1. Figure out a consistent time and place to meet with God.  Inconsistency is a huge killer in any relationship!  For me, if I don’t get up early to start my day with Him it generally doesn’t happen at all.
2. Use a Bible with as little commentary as possible so that you aren’t distracted by what someone else thinks about a verse.  Note that this generally requires staying in parts of the Bible that are “easy” for you to understand.
3. Have a plan in mind…don’t just read randomly.  If you aren’t sure where to start, consider one of these ideas:
   • Try the verses in the 5x5x5 reading plan.  This plan includes passages to read as well as suggestions for how to reflect on them.
   • Read the book of John to get a clearer picture of who Jesus is, why He came, and what His plans are for you.
   • Read the book of Philippians, Ephesians or James.
   • Read a chapter of Proverbs each day.  There are 31 chapters to pick from…one for every day of the month.
   • There are 150 Psalms to pick from, and every one is a song written by someone longing to know God better.
4. Have a piece of paper handy to write down any random “oh, I can’t forget to do this today” thoughts that will distract you during your quiet time.  Write them down and forget them.

OK, so you’ve got all that, what does the time actually look like?  First, let me way that there are as answers to this question as their are Christians in the world.  What I’m going to do in this and the next few posts is give some examples from my own time with God as well as some other peoples.  It is my hope that one or more of those examples may help you in your race for the prize.

Currently, my quiet time looks like this:

1. I say a quick prayer asking God to clear my mind, settle my spirit, and focus my attention on His Word.
2. I read a bit from Scripture.  Sometimes it is only a verse, sometimes it is a whole chapter.  I’m currently reading through the book of Luke, stopping whenever something in the Word hits me.  What do I mean by “hits me”?  When I’m having my quiet time, I read the Word like it was written to me and for me.  What does the passage I just read mean?  What is it’s point?  How does it speak to my current situation, heart or attitude?  This morning read Luke chapter 15, which is a pretty long passage for me to consider in one morning.  It gives three examples of people desperately searching for something they have lost, and describes the joy they have when they find it.  That hit me.  Am I desperate to find and affect lost people around me and am I overwhelmed with joy when they choose Christ?  That is a convicting question for me!
3. I write down one verse that hit me from the morning.  This morning it was Luke 15:7.  Then I write a few sentences about how that verse affected me, as well as any prayer I have as a result of it.  Why do I write it down?  Three reasons: it helps me focus my thoughts, it helps me discover ongoing themes that God is trying to teach me, and it is pretty amazing to look back at weeks, months or years later to see what God has done!
4. I spend some time praying.  For me, every morning includes praying for the following things.  I included some verse references here for some Scriptural examples of topics.
   • Conviction and confession of sin (Hebrews 4:12-13, 1 John 1:9, John 13:8)
   • Filling, leading of the Holy Spirit for me to have courage (1 Chronicles 28:20, clear direction and focus for the day (Psalm 32:8-9), and to be an effective witness (Colossians 4:2-6) and example (Philippians 2:14-15) to those around me.
   • My family, including any special stuff that might be going on with them.
   • The protection and challenge of our church family (John 17:11-21).
   • Members of our church family specifically, whether it be health, job or family related.
5. Then, each day I pray about a different slice of life.  Mondays I pray for specific lost people to find a saving faith in Christ.  Tuesdays are extended prayers for Michele, the boys and anyone else in my immediate or extended family that needs it.  Wednesdays include specific people that I have a D-Group relationship with, including one-on-one relationships with friends and our Band of Brothers group.  Thursdays are reserved for the Band of Brothers.  Fridays I pray for the Life Group that I’m in.  Saturdays I pray for myself specifically (more on that in another post).  Sunday’s prayers are focused around our church.

The next post will be some thoughts on how to pray for yourself, and then I’ll talk about some dangers you’ll face as you try to have a consistent quiet time.

Be Sociable, Share!

•